Commerce investigates dumping of biodiesel imports

The Commerce Department has started an investigation into the dumping and government subsidization of U.S. biodiesel imports from Argentina and Indonesia.    The Commerce Department has started an investigation into the dumping and government subsidization of U.S. biodiesel imports from Argentina and Indonesia.
   Dumping occurs when a foreign company sells a product in the United States at less than its fair value, while a countervailable subsidy is financial assistance from a foreign government that benefits specific domestic industries or is contingent either on export performance or use of domestic goods over imported goods.
   The petitioner for the antidumping and countervailing duty investigation is the National Biodiesel Fair Trade Coalition, an ad-hoc association composed of the National Biodiesel Board and 15 domestic producers of biodiesel.
   In 2016, imports of biodiesel from Argentina and Indonesia were valued at $1.2 billion and $268 million, respectively.
   The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) is scheduled to make its preliminary injury determinations by May 8. If the ITC determines that there is a reasonable indication that imports of biodiesel from Argentina and/or Indonesia harm U.S. domestic industry, the investigations will continue, and Commerce will be scheduled to announce its preliminary countervailing determinations in June and its preliminary antidumping determinations in August, though these dates may be extended. If the ITC’s determinations are negative, the investigations will be terminated.